The Payoff of Staying Stable in Hard Times

Many people have gifts and talents and are called to do great things for God, yet He hasn’t said, “Go,” because they’re still learning how to be stable, dependable, reliable, not easily shaken, and in control of their emotions.

As Christians, we need to live the life that we claim to represent so that our gifts and talents can be released―not just for our own sake, but for the good of those around us.

I am so glad that I’m married to a stable man. Of all the things Dave has brought to my life, I am so grateful to him for teaching me the value of stability. You see, in the early days of our marriage, he never knew one day to the next what I was going to be like, and neither did I. My circumstances dictated my mood―and it was a miserable way to live.

I could get up thinking I was going to have a great day and then something would set me off and by 9 a.m., the rest of my day was totally ruined! But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can control ourselves, but until we believe that, nothing is going to change.

The first thing we must do is stop making excuses, like “I can’t help it. I’m just an emotional person. If you had to put up with what I have to put up with, you’d throw tantrums too!” God is never going to tell you to do something you can’t do without His help. And you can accomplish much if you learn to control your emotions.

Whether you like it or not, you’re in a spiritual war. Your enemy, Satan, comes against you in many ways and he’s going to fight, fight, fight against you. So you need to know how to stand against him.

Philippians 1:28 (AMP) says, “And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.”

This scripture is saying that God and the devil are watching us. If we remain peaceful, the devil knows that he can’t upset us and we’re just not going to give in. But it’s also a sign to God that our trust is truly in Him.

No matter how much you say you trust God, if you’re upset all the time, then you’re not really trusting Him. And as long as you’re trying to take care of yourself, God will just stand back and say, “Let Me know when you’re ready for Me to jump in and help.”

Keeping Your Peace Brings Maturity

You and I have the privilege not only to believe in Christ but to endure a little bit of suffering while we’re waiting for His deliverance because it’s the hard times in our life that bring maturity. Every day that you stay firm in your faith and you don’t get your breakthrough, you’re growing spiritually that day.

Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation.” The purpose of having faith isn’t to avoid problems but to get through them with peace and stability.

If the only time you can praise God is in the Promised Land, you have a problem. You need to praise Him in the wilderness. Actually, if you don’t praise God in the wilderness, you’ll never get to the Promised Land. We all have to do the right thing when it’s hard; when we don’t feel like doing it. That’s when we grow.

In Exodus 14:13-14 (AMP), Moses told the Israelites, “Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.”

Be determined to trust God. No matter what happens, hold your peace; remain at rest; keep an attitude of praise and thanksgiving; do what you can do; and keep on saying, “God is fighting for me.”